The incident comes two days after the Islamic State group issued a directive to its "lone wolf" followers to stab, shoot, poison and run over Australians at iconic attractions such as the Opera House.

"Kill them on the streets of Brunswick, Broadmeadows, Bankstown, and Bondi. Kill them at the MCG, the SCG, the Opera House, and even in their backyards," the first issue of the terrorist group's new online propaganda magazine said.